Agriculture: Climate Change

Kick the Habit: A UN Guide to Climate Neutrality by the UNEP presents solutions for individuals, NGOs, businesses, cities and countries to reduce climate footprint. For an effective emissions reduction programme, the e-book emphasises the need for a well-organised performing structure in place.

Due to increased soil salinity in Sri Lanka, farmers were forced to leave large parts of land uncultivated. They are now learning new ways to grow rice using the traditional strains, which may not be giving them high yields but are resistant to pests and diseases.

Identifying the most vulnerable locations and populations and strengthening local people's capacities has to be in the centre of any longer-term adaptation measures, says Saleemul Huq of International Institute for Environment and Development. Damage to crops, homes and infrastructure also has to be taken into account, he adds.

This generation has devastated the environment more than any other in the past. Therefore the responsibility to fix it is on the present generation, said Murari Sharma, Nepal’s ambassador to United Kingdom, while addressing a climate change conference held recently in London.

The Indian government has given the green signal to its Ministry of Science and Technology for setting up an exclusive division on climate change research. The move highlights the strategic importance being accorded to the issue and would serve to pool in expertise to tackle different aspects of the challenge.